How do you break in a diesel?

VRMMMM · 04-13-2011, 10:44 PM

I just picked up my truck last night and so far have been gentle. On my gas cars, i just drive them like I stole them from the second I get in them. Just easy on the brakes for 500 miles. My gas cars never burn oil and run great with this break in.

I am new to diesels, and this was not a cheap purchase. What is the best way to break in a new diesel engine?

**TDFDiesel** · 04-13-2011, 10:53 PM

Drive it.... I'd be easy on it first 500-1000 miles personally, but not necessary.

Change your spin on trans filter at around 4-5k miles. It's $8-11 from a vendor on here.

Hondarider552 · 04-13-2011, 10:56 PM

put diesel in it?

As far as im concerned break in period is the first 1000 miles.

**Tow Master** · 04-13-2011, 11:00 PM

Ya your suppose to wait 500 miles to tow and drive easy till 1000. I changed my oil at 2500 miles then at 5000 and every 5000 after that.

dave027 · 04-13-2011, 11:03 PM

like the above post, not totally necessary but if it were mine, I would the first500 miles vary the RPM, like back road driving, not holding a steady RPM for more than a few minutes. I wouldn't load maximum for about a 1000 miles, and no foot to the floor launches. I agree with the change the spin-on tranny filter, and double check the fluid levels. Break-in isn't what it used to be but transmission break-in might be.. Just my opinion of course..

VRMMMM · 04-13-2011, 11:20 PM

yep, I changed the oil and filter on my 2010 camaro ss at 500, 1000, then every 5000 miles. but i just drive the crap outta that car and it just gets stonger. I will take it easy on this truck for 500 miles, give it new oil and filter, then game on

dave027 · 04-14-2011, 05:03 AM

changing oil at 500 miles might be counter-productive, it holds 10 qts. and I would let it in at least 2000, no more than 2500 miles. Just to make sure all the wear in is done, close to 50 bucks if you do it yourself. I've always heard the term "break-in oil" for first oil change, not sure if there is any truth in that though.. Don't neglect the spin -on for the transmission at 5000 like the earlier post, cheap insurance for a very expensive piece..

**bossman22** · 04-15-2011, 10:10 AM

The 2nd day I picked it up I had my GN hitch in already. It towed a 16,500lb trailer just fine! Theres not a day it gets a break...

Hydrant · 04-17-2011, 02:50 PM

I personally believe that they should be driven like it will be driven for break in. Unless that is at the same RPM and load for extended periods (like said before). Day one, and 100 KM into the life of my new LML I was towing 8000lbs up a serious grade. I guess time will tell! Anybody take a look in the manual and see if it says anything??

BigBill · 04-17-2011, 05:09 PM

The owners manual that came in my truck said NOT drive over 55 for the first 500 miles to get the longest life out the engine. I did that! I changed the oil at 1200 miles.

I have noticed in other postings suggesting early change of the transmission fluid as well. I am going to do that soon.

Like my past truck, I will change the oil as suggested by the DIC. I understand it measures how hard you work your truck adjusting the interval based on your need NOT based on miles.

Welcome aboard!

04-13-2011, 10:44 PM	eBay Motors #1 (permalink)
VRMMMM DuramaxForum n00b Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 17	How do you break in a diesel? I just picked up my truck last night and so far have been gentle. On my gas cars, i just drive them like I stole them from the second I get in them. Just easy on the brakes for 500 miles. My gas cars never burn oil and run great with this break in. I am new to diesels, and this was not a cheap purchase. What is the best way to break in a new diesel engine? __________________ 2011 Silverado 3500HD 4X4 CC long bed stock this second.

04-13-2011, 10:53 PM	eBay Motors #2 (permalink)
TDFDiesel I'm That Guy... Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 13,064	Drive it.... I'd be easy on it first 500-1000 miles personally, but not necessary. Change your spin on trans filter at around 4-5k miles. It's $8-11 from a vendor on here. __________________ Tony Non Vendor contact information, URLs and/or links are NOT allowed in signatures or on forum! My opinion is not the opinion of Duramax Forum, Auto Forums, Auto Guide, or other Duramax Forum staff members! *CLICK TO READ: FORUM RULES AND DF STAFF!* Thank you Rob Coddens (Idaho Rob), Dustin @ ATP, Scott @ SDP, Kory Willis, and Mike L. for all of your help! Shhh... I sold my Dmax and I own a gasser now, don't tell anyone!!! I'll buy another Dmax soon, probably LLY or LBZ.

04-13-2011, 11:00 PM	eBay Motors #4 (permalink)
Tow Master Oh...... Squirrel! Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Irwin PA Posts: 23,042	Ya your suppose to wait 500 miles to tow and drive easy till 1000. I changed my oil at 2500 miles then at 5000 and every 5000 after that. __________________ Jason 2006 Silverado 2500HD LBZ CC SB Exterior: Escalade Handles, Front windows tinted to match the rear, painted bumpers & mirrors, billet grille, 285/70/17 Nitto Crossteks on Pro Comp Wheels, Cognito Braces, Stainless Sleeves, Train Horns Interior: 4 Kicker 10in Subs in 2 custom box's, Autometer Ultra lite II Pyro and Boost gauges, Aeroforce Interceptor Gauge, HID Lows & Fogs, Painted accents Performance: EFI Live Tuned by Blackout Performance, Custom *Blackout Performance* S475 over stock twins, 45 over stock injectors, MBRP Turbo Back Stainless Exhaust (Straight piped), Raptor Lift Pump, AFE Filter, GMAX6 kit with Suncoast 1057 converter installed by *Blackout Performance* 1999 Ford F-550 PowerStroke ''Wrecker'' **Jerrdan bed, S&B Intake

04-13-2011, 11:03 PM	eBay Motors #5 (permalink)
dave027 DuramaxForum n00b Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Fort Bragg N.C. Posts: 17	like the above post, not totally necessary but if it were mine, I would the first500 miles vary the RPM, like back road driving, not holding a steady RPM for more than a few minutes. I wouldn't load maximum for about a 1000 miles, and no foot to the floor launches. I agree with the change the spin-on tranny filter, and double check the fluid levels. Break-in isn't what it used to be but transmission break-in might be.. Just my opinion of course.. __________________ '06 Silverado 3500 "Over Kill" Fluidamper Resonator plugged, '97 Harley FXDL '67 BSA Lightning Custom Chopper Motorcycle clubs are not street gangs... Too soon old, too late smart...

04-13-2011, 11:20 PM	eBay Motors #6 (permalink)
VRMMMM DuramaxForum n00b Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 17	yep, I changed the oil and filter on my 2010 camaro ss at 500, 1000, then every 5000 miles. but i just drive the crap outta that car and it just gets stonger. I will take it easy on this truck for 500 miles, give it new oil and filter, then game on __________________ 2011 Silverado 3500HD 4X4 CC long bed stock this second.

04-13-2011, 10:56 PM	eBay Motors #3 (permalink)
Hondarider552 Banned Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Arizona Posts: 17,269	put diesel in it? As far as im concerned break in period is the first 1000 miles.

04-14-2011, 05:03 AM	eBay Motors #7 (permalink)
dave027 DuramaxForum n00b Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Fort Bragg N.C. Posts: 17	changing oil at 500 miles might be counter-productive, it holds 10 qts. and I would let it in at least 2000, no more than 2500 miles. Just to make sure all the wear in is done, close to 50 bucks if you do it yourself. I've always heard the term "break-in oil" for first oil change, not sure if there is any truth in that though.. Don't neglect the spin -on for the transmission at 5000 like the earlier post, cheap insurance for a very expensive piece.. __________________ '06 Silverado 3500 "Over Kill" Fluidamper Resonator plugged, '97 Harley FXDL '67 BSA Lightning Custom Chopper Motorcycle clubs are not street gangs... Too soon old, too late smart...

04-15-2011, 10:10 AM	eBay Motors #8 (permalink)
bossman22 Doin it... Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Tiger Nation! Posts: 1,276	The 2nd day I picked it up I had my GN hitch in already. It towed a 16,500lb trailer just fine! Theres not a day it gets a break... __________________ 12.4 sec 04 Gmc Duramaxgearjamin 2011 DenaliHD Dmax 2011 GMC Dmax Cognito 4-6, American Force 20x12, Fuel Offroad MT 35x13.50x20, MBRP 5"-7", H&S Mini Maxx, Fass platinum lift pump, S&B intake, Air lift airbags with compressor, B&W Turnover ball.

04-17-2011, 02:50 PM	eBay Motors #9 (permalink)
Hydrant Junior Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 204	I personally believe that they should be driven like it will be driven for break in. Unless that is at the same RPM and load for extended periods (like said before). Day one, and 100 KM into the life of my new LML I was towing 8000lbs up a serious grade. I guess time will tell! Anybody take a look in the manual and see if it says anything?? __________________ 07 GMC Evolution Deleted and blocked Stolen,recovered then traded 2011 Silverado 3500 Stock

04-17-2011, 05:09 PM	eBay Motors #10 (permalink)
BigBill Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 250	The owners manual that came in my truck said NOT drive over 55 for the first 500 miles to get the longest life out the engine. I did that! I changed the oil at 1200 miles. I have noticed in other postings suggesting early change of the transmission fluid as well. I am going to do that soon. Like my past truck, I will change the oil as suggested by the DIC. I understand it measures how hard you work your truck adjusting the interval based on your need NOT based on miles. Welcome aboard! __________________ Bill 2011 Chevy 2500 HD Duramax w/Allison Crew Cab, LTZ, SB, 4x4 Last edited by BigBill; 04-17-2011 at 05:11 PM. Reason: typo

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